Quantification of Binding of Small Molecules to Native Proteins Overexpressed in Living Cells.

The affinity and selectivity of small molecules for proteins drive drug discovery and development. We report a fluorescent probe cellular binding assay (FPCBA) for determination of these values for native (untagged) proteins overexpressed in living cells. This method uses fluorophores such as Pacific Blue (PB) linked to cell-permeable protein ligands to generate probes that rapidly and reversibly equilibrate with intracellular targets, as established by kinetic assays of cellular uptake and efflux. To analyze binding to untagged proteins, an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) vector was employed that allows a single mRNA to encode both the protein target and a separate orthogonal fluorescent protein (mVenus). This enabled cellular uptake of the probe to be correlated with protein expression by flow cytometry, allowing measurement of cellular dissociation constants (Kd) of the probe. This approach was validated by studies of the binding of allosteric activators to eight different Protein Kinase C (PKC) isozymes. Full-length PKCs expressed in transiently transfected HEK293T cells were used to measure cellular Kd values of a probe comprising PB linked to the natural product phorbol via a carbamate. These values were further used to determine competitive binding constants (cellular Ki values) of the nonfluorescent phorbol ester PDBu and the anticancer agent bryostatin 1 for each isozyme. For some PKC-small molecule pairs, these cellular Ki values matched known biochemical Ki values, but for others, altered selectivity was observed in cells. This approach can facilitate quantification of interactions of small molecules with physiologically relevant native proteins.

BTK inhibition potentiates anti-PD-L1 treatment in murine melanoma: potential role for MDSC modulation in immunotherapy.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) have been linked to loss of immune effector cell function through a variety of mechanisms such as the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and the production of inhibitory cytokines. Our group has shown that signaling through Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is important for MDSC function. Ibrutinib is an orally administered targeted agent that inhibits BTK activation and is currently used for the treatment of B cell malignancies. Using a syngeneic murine model of melanoma, the effect of BTK inhibition with ibrutinib on the therapeutic response to systemic PD-L1 blockade was studied. BTK was expressed by murine MDSC and their activation was inhibited by ibrutinib. Ibrutinib was not directly cytotoxic to cancer cells in vitro, but it inhibited BTK activation in MDSC and reduced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) and production of nitric oxide. Ibrutinib treatments decreased the levels of circulating MDSC in vivo and increased the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-L1 antibody treatment. Gene expression profiling showed that ibrutinib decreased Cybb (NOX2) signaling, and increased IL-17 signaling (upregulating downstream targets Mmp9, Ptgs2, and S100a8). These results suggest that further exploration of MDSC inhibition could enhance the immunotherapy of advanced melanoma.PrécisInhibition of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, a key enzyme in myeloid cellular function, improves therapeutic response to an anti-PD-L1 antibody in an otherwise fairly resistant murine melanoma model.

Photoluminescent Properties and Mechanism of Novel Cyanine-Borondifluoride Curcuminoid Hybrids as Red-to-Near Infrared and Endoplasmic Reticulum-Targeting Dyes.

Synthesis-oriented design led us to the discovery of a series of novel cyanine-borondifluoride curcuminoid hybrids called Nanchang Red (NCR) dyes that overcome the intrinsic low synthetic yields of symmetrical cyanine-difluoroboronate (BF2 )-hybridized NIR dyes. The hybridization endows NCR dyes with high molar extinction coefficients, efficient red-to-NIR emission, and enlarged Stokes shifts. Quantum chemical calculations revealed that the asymmetrical layout of the three key electron-withdrawing and electron-donating fragments results in a special pattern of partial charge separation and inconsistent degrees of charge delocalization on their π-conjugated backbones. While the nature of the hemicyanine fragment exerts significant influence on the excitation modes of NCR dyes, the borondifluoride hemicurcuminoid fragment is the major contributor to the enlarged Stokes shifts. Cell imaging experiments illustrated that a subtle change in the N-heterocycle of the hemicyanine fragment has a remarkable effect on the subcellular localization of NCR dyes. Unlike other previously reported cyanine-BF2 hybridized dyes, which mainly target mitochondria, the benzothiazole and indole-based NCR dyes accumulate in both the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lipid droplets of HeLa cells, whereas the benzoxazole and quinoline-based NCR dyes stain the ER specifically.

The C. elegans CHP1 homolog, pbo-1, functions in innate immunity by regulating the pH of the intestinal lumen.

Caenorhabditis elegans are soil-dwelling nematodes and models for understanding innate immunity and infection. Previously, we developed a novel fluorescent dye (KR35) that accumulates in the intestine of C. elegans and reports a dynamic wave in intestinal pH associated with the defecation motor program. Here, we use KR35 to show that mutations in the Ca2+-binding protein, PBO-1, abrogate the pH wave, causing the anterior intestine to be constantly acidic. Surprisingly, pbo-1 mutants were also more susceptible to infection by several bacterial pathogens. We could suppress pathogen susceptibility in pbo-1 mutants by treating the animals with pH-buffering bicarbonate, suggesting the pathogen susceptibility is a function of the acidity of the intestinal pH. Furthermore, we use KR35 to show that upon infection by pathogens, the intestinal pH becomes neutral in a wild type, but less so in pbo-1 mutants. C. elegans is known to increase production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as H2O2, in response to pathogens, which is an important component of pathogen defense. We show that pbo-1 mutants exhibited decreased H2O2 in response to pathogens, which could also be partially restored in pbo-1 animals treated with bicarbonate. Ultimately, our results support a model whereby PBO-1 functions during infection to facilitate pH changes in the intestine that are protective to the host.

Synthetic Rhamnose Glycopolymer Cell-Surface Receptor for Endogenous Antibody Recruitment.

Synthetic materials capable of engineering the immune system are of great relevance in the fight against cancer to replace or complement the current monoclonal antibody and cell therapy-based immunotherapeutics. Here, we report on antibody recruiting glycopolymers (ARGPs). ARGPs consist of polymeric copies of a rhamnose motif, which can bind endogenous antirhamnose antibodies present in human serum. As a proof-of-concept, we have designed ARGPs with a lipophilic end group that efficiently inserts into cell-surface membranes. We validate the specificity of rhamnose to attract antibodies from human serum to the target cell surface and demonstrate that ARGPs outperform an analogous small-molecule compound containing only one single rhamnose motif. The ARGP concept opens new avenues for the design of potent immunotherapeutics that mark target cells for destruction by the immune system through antibody-mediated effector functions.

Small Molecule Inhibitors of the BfrB-Bfd Interaction Decrease Pseudomonas aeruginosa Fitness and Potentiate Fluoroquinolone Activity.

The iron storage protein bacterioferritin (BfrB) is central to bacterial iron homeostasis. The mobilization of iron from BfrB, which requires binding by a cognate ferredoxin (Bfd), is essential to the regulation of cytosolic iron levels in P. aeruginosa. This paper describes the structure-guided development of small molecule inhibitors of the BfrB-Bfd protein-protein interaction. The process was initiated by screening a fragment library and followed by obtaining the structure of a fragment hit bound to BfrB. The structural insights were used to develop a series of 4-(benzylamino)- and 4-((3-phenylpropyl)amino)-isoindoline-1,3-dione analogs that selectively bind BfrB at the Bfd binding site. Challenging P. aeruginosa cells with the 4-substituted isoindoline analogs revealed a dose-dependent growth phenotype. Further investigation determined that the analogs elicit a pyoverdin hyperproduction phenotype that is consistent with blockade of the BfrB-Bfd interaction and ensuing irreversible accumulation of iron in BfrB, with concomitant depletion of iron in the cytosol. The irreversible accumulation of iron in BfrB prompted by the 4-substituted isoindoline analogs was confirmed by visualization of BfrB-iron in P. aeruginosa cell lysates separated on native PAGE gels and stained for iron with Ferene S. Challenging P. aeruginosa cultures with a combination of commercial fluoroquinolone and our isoindoline analogs results in significantly lower cell survival relative to treatment with either antibiotic or analog alone. Collectively, these findings furnish proof of concept for the usefulness of small molecule probes designed to dysregulate bacterial iron homeostasis by targeting a protein-protein interaction pivotal for iron storage in the bacterial cell.

Malleilactone Is a Burkholderia pseudomallei Virulence Factor Regulated by Antibiotics and Quorum Sensing.

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, encodes almost a dozen predicted polyketide (PK) biosynthetic gene clusters. Many of these are regulated by LuxR-I-type acyl-homoserine (AHL) quorum-sensing systems. One of the PK gene clusters, the mal gene cluster, is conserved in the close relative Burkholderia thailandensis The B. thailandensis mal genes code for the cytotoxin malleilactone and are regulated by a genetically linked LuxR-type transcription factor, MalR. Although AHLs typically interact with LuxR-type proteins to modulate gene transcription, the B. thailandensis MalR does not appear to be an AHL receptor. Here, we characterize the mal genes and MalR in B. pseudomallei We use chemical analyses to demonstrate that the B. pseudomallei mal genes code for malleilactone. Our results show that MalR and the mal genes contribute to the ability of B. pseudomallei to kill Caenorhabditis elegans In B. thailandensis, antibiotics like trimethoprim can activate MalR by driving transcription of the mal genes, and we demonstrate that some of the same antibiotics induce expression of B. pseudomallei malR We also demonstrate that B. pseudomallei MalR does not respond directly to AHLs. Our results suggest that MalR is indirectly repressed by AHLs, possibly through a repressor, ScmR. We further show that malleilactone is a B. pseudomallei virulence factor and provide the foundation for understanding how malleilactone contributes to the pathology of melioidosis infections.IMPORTANCE Many bacterially produced polyketides are cytotoxic to mammalian cells and are potentially important contributors to pathogenesis during infection. We are interested in the polyketide gene clusters present in Burkholderia pseudomallei, which causes the often-fatal human disease melioidosis. Using knowledge gained by studies in the close relative Burkholderia thailandensis, we show that one of the B. pseudomallei polyketide biosynthetic clusters produces a cytotoxic polyketide, malleilactone. Malleilactone contributes to B. pseudomallei virulence in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model and is regulated by an orphan LuxR family quorum-sensing transcription factor, MalR. Our studies demonstrate that malleilactone biosynthesis or MalR could be new targets for developing therapeutics to treat melioidosis.

Synthesis of a Fluorescent Analogue of Paclitaxel That Selectively Binds Microtubules and Sensitively Detects Efflux by P-Glycoprotein.

The anticancer drug paclitaxel (Taxol) exhibits paradoxical and poorly understood effects against slow-growing tumors. To investigate its biological activity, fluorophores such as Oregon Green have been linked to this drug. However, this modification increases its polarity by approximately 1000-fold and reduces the toxicity of Taxol towards cancer cell lines by over 200-fold. To construct more drug-like fluorescent probes suitable for imaging by confocal microscopy and analysis by flow cytometry, we synthesized derivatives of Taxol linked to the drug-like fluorophore Pacific Blue (PB). We found that PB-Gly-Taxol bound the target protein ß-tubulin with both high affinity in vitro and high specificity in living cells, exhibited substantial cytotoxicity towards HeLa cells, and was a highly sensitive substrate of the multidrug resistance transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp).

Hydrophobic resorufamine derivatives: potent and selective red fluorescent probes of the endoplasmic reticulum of mammalian cells.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of eukaryotic cells plays critical roles in the processing of secreted and transmembrane proteins. Defects in these functions are associated with a wide range of pathologies. To image this organelle, cells are often treated with fluorescent ER-Tracker dyes. Although these compounds are selective, existing red fluorescent probes of the ER are costly glibenclamide derivatives that inhibit ER-associated sulphonylurea receptors. To provide simpler and more cost-effective red fluorescent probes of the ER, we synthesized amino analogues of the fluorophore resorufin. By varying the polarity of linked substituents, we identified hexyl resorufamine (HRA) as a novel hydrophobic (cLogD (pH 7.4) = 3.8) red fluorescent (Ex. 565 nm; Em. 614 nm in ethanol) molecular probe. HRA is exceptionally bright in organic solvents (quantum yield = 0.70), it exclusively localizes to the ER of living HeLa cells as imaged by confocal microscopy, it is effective at concentrations as low as 100 nM, and it is non-toxic under these conditions. To examine its utility, we used HRA to facilitate visualization of small molecule-mediated release of a GFP-GPI fusion protein from the ER into the secretory pathway. HRA represents a potent, selective, and cost-effective probe for imaging and labeling the ER.

Synthesis of Fluorophores that Target Small Molecules to the Endoplasmic Reticulum of Living Mammalian Cells.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays critical roles in the processing of secreted and transmembrane proteins. To deliver small molecules to this organelle, we synthesized fluorinated hydrophobic analogues of the fluorophore rhodol. These cell-permeable fluorophores are exceptionally bright, with quantum yields of around 0.8, and they were found to specifically accumulate in the ER of living HeLa cells, as imaged by confocal laser scanning microscopy. To target a biological pathway controlled by the ER, we linked a fluorinated hydrophobic rhodol to 5-nitrofuran-2-acrylaldehyde. In contrast to an untargeted nitrofuran warhead, delivery of this electrophilic nitrofuran to the ER by the rhodol resulted in cytotoxicity comparable to the ER-targeted cytotoxin eeyarestatin I, and specifically inhibited protein processing by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Fluorinated hydrophobic rhodols are outstanding fluorophores that enable the delivery of small molecules for targeting ER-associated proteins and pathways.

Detection of protein-protein interactions by proximity-driven S(N)Ar reactions of lysine-linked fluorophores.

Critical protein-protein interactions are ubiquitous in biology. To provide a new method to detect these interactions, we designed and synthesized fluorinated bromopyronins as molecular probes. These electrophilic compounds rapidly react with amines via a S(N)Ar mechanism to form modestly electrophilic aminopyronin fluorophores. To investigate whether proteins modified with aminopyronins might selectively transfer these fluorophores between proximal lysine residues at protein-protein interfaces, immunoglobulin-G (IgG) was conjugated to fluorinated pyronins and added to unlabeled Protein A (SpA) from S. aureus. Analysis by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry revealed transfer of this fluorophore from IgG to specific lysines of its binding partner SpA but not to bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a nonbinding control. Examination of an X-ray structure of IgG bound to SpA revealed that the fluorophore was selectively transferred between amino groups of lysines that reside within ~10 Å at the protein-protein interface. To evaluate whether this approach could be used to identify interactions with endogenous cellular proteins, pyronin-modified Rnase A was added to crude extracts of human HeLa cells. Analysis of interacting proteins by gel electrophoresis revealed the endogenous ribonuclease inhibitor as the primary cellular target. Given that proximal lysine residues frequently reside at protein-protein interfaces, this method may facilitate identification of diverse protein-protein interactions present in complex biological matrices.

Sensitivity of mitochondrial transcription and resistance of RNA polymerase II dependent nuclear transcription to antiviral ribonucleosides.

Ribonucleoside analogues have potential utility as anti-viral, -parasitic, -bacterial and -cancer agents. However, their clinical applications have been limited by off target effects. Development of antiviral ribonucleosides for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been hampered by appearance of toxicity during clinical trials that evaded detection during preclinical studies. It is well established that the human mitochondrial DNA polymerase is an off target for deoxyribonucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Here we test the hypothesis that triphosphorylated metabolites of therapeutic ribonucleoside analogues are substrates for cellular RNA polymerases. We have used ribonucleoside analogues with activity against HCV as model compounds for therapeutic ribonucleosides. We have included ribonucleoside analogues containing 2'-C-methyl, 4'-methyl and 4'-azido substituents that are non-obligate chain terminators of the HCV RNA polymerase. We show that all of the anti-HCV ribonucleoside analogues are substrates for human mitochondrial RNA polymerase (POLRMT) and eukaryotic core RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in vitro. Unexpectedly, analogues containing 2'-C-methyl, 4'-methyl and 4'-azido substituents were inhibitors of POLRMT and Pol II. Importantly, the proofreading activity of TFIIS was capable of excising these analogues from Pol II transcripts. Evaluation of transcription in cells confirmed sensitivity of POLRMT to antiviral ribonucleosides, while Pol II remained predominantly refractory. We introduce a parameter termed the mitovir (mitochondrial dysfunction caused by antiviral ribonucleoside) score that can be readily obtained during preclinical studies that quantifies the mitochondrial toxicity potential of compounds. We suggest the possibility that patients exhibiting adverse effects during clinical trials may be more susceptible to damage by nucleoside analogs because of defects in mitochondrial or nuclear transcription. The paradigm reported here should facilitate development of ribonucleosides with a lower potential for toxicity.

Synthesis of Monofluorinated 7-Hydroxycoumarin-3-Carboxamides as Cell-Permeable Fluorescent Molecular Probes.

To facilitate studies of engagement of protein targets by small molecules in living cells, we synthesized fluorinated derivatives of the fluorophore 7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxylic acid (7OHCCA). Compared to the related difluorinated coumarin Pacific Blue (PB), amide derivatives of 6-fluoro-7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxylic acid (6FC) exhibited substantially brighter fluorescence. When linked to the anticancer drug paclitaxel (Taxol) via gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the acidity of the phenol of these coumarins profoundly affected cellular efflux and binding to microtubules in living cells. In contrast to the known fluorescent taxoid PB-GABA-Taxol, the less acidic 6FC-GABA-Taxol was more cell-permeable due to a lower susceptibility to active efflux. In living cells, this facilitated the imaging of microtubules by confocal microscopy and enabled quantification of binding to microtubules by flow cytometry without added efflux inhibitors. The photophysical, chemical, and biological properties of 6FC derivatives make these compounds particularly attractive for the construction of fluorescent molecular probes suitable for quantitative analysis of intracellular small molecule-protein interactions.

Decreased APOE-containing HDL subfractions and cholesterol efflux capacity of serum in mice lacking Pcsk9.

BACKGROUND: Studies in animals showed that PCSK9 is involved in HDL metabolism. We investigated the molecular mechanism by which PCSK9 regulates HDL cholesterol concentration and also whether Pcsk9 inactivation might affect cholesterol efflux capacity of serum and atherosclerotic fatty streak volume. METHODS: Mass spectrometry and western blot were used to analyze the level of apolipoprotein E (APOE) and A1 (APOA1). A mouse model overexpressing human LDLR was used to test the effect of high levels of liver LDLR on the concentration of HDL cholesterol and APOE-containing HDL subfractions. Pcsk9 knockout males lacking LDLR and APOE were used to test whether LDLR and APOE are necessary for PCSK9-mediated HDL cholesterol regulation. We also investigated the effects of Pcsk9 inactivation on cholesterol efflux capacity of serum using THP-1 and J774.A1 macrophage foam cells and atherosclerotic fatty streak volume in the aortic sinus of Pcsk9 knockout males fed an atherogenic diet. RESULTS: APOE and APOA1 were reduced in the same HDL subfractions of Pcsk9 knockout and human LDLR transgenic male mice. In Pcsk9/Ldlr double-knockout mice, HDL cholesterol concentration was lower than in Ldlr knockout mice and higher than in wild-type controls. In Pcsk9/Apoe double-knockout mice, HDL cholesterol concentration was similar to that of Apoe knockout males. In Pcsk9 knockout males, THP-1 macrophage cholesterol efflux capacity of serum was reduced and the fatty streak lesion volume was similar to wild-type controls. CONCLUSIONS: In mice, LDLR and APOE are important factors for PCSK9-mediated HDL regulation. Our data suggest that, although LDLR plays a major role in PCSK9-mediated regulation of HDL cholesterol concentration, it is not the only mechanism and that, regardless of mechanism, APOE is essential. Pcsk9 inactivation decreases the HDL cholesterol concentration and cholesterol efflux capacity in serum, but does not increase atherosclerotic fatty streak volume.

Fluorescent Detection of Peroxynitrite Produced by Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer and Inhibition by Dasatinib.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immature myeloid cells that expand dramatically in many cancer patients. This expansion contributes to immunosuppression in cancer and reduces the efficacy of immune-based cancer therapies. One mechanism of immunosuppression mediated by MDSCs involves production of the reactive nitrogen species peroxynitrite (PNT), where this strong oxidant inactivates immune effector cells through destructive nitration of tyrosine residues in immune signal transduction pathways. As an alternative to analysis of nitrotyrosines indirectly generated by PNT, we used an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-targeted fluorescent sensor termed PS3 that allows direct detection of PNT produced by MDSCs. When the MDSC-like cell line MSC2 and primary MDSCs from mice and humans were treated with PS3 and antibody-opsonized TentaGel microspheres, phagocytosis of these beads led to production of PNT and generation of a highly fluorescent product. Using this method, we show that splenocytes from a EMT6 mouse model of cancer, but not normal control mice, produce high levels of PNT due to elevated numbers of granulocytic (PMN) MDSCs. Similarly, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from blood of human melanoma patients produced substantially higher levels of PNT than healthy human volunteers, coincident with higher peripheral MDSC levels. The kinase inhibitor dasatinib was found to potently block the production of PNT both by inhibiting phagocytosis in vitro and by reducing the number of granulocytic MDSCs in mice in vivo, providing a chemical tool to modulate the production of this reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in the tumor microenvironment.

Successful Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in Mice Utilizing Microcomputed Tomography Angiography.

Microcomputed tomography (microCT) angiography is an invaluable resource to researchers. New advances in this technology have allowed for high-quality images to be obtained of micro-vasculature and are high-fidelity tools in the field of organ transplantation. In this model of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in mice, microCT affords the opportunity to evaluate allograft anastomosis in real time and has the added benefit of not having to sacrifice study animals. The choice of contrast, as well as image acquisition settings, create a high-definition image, which gives researchers invaluable information. This allows for evaluation of the technical aspects of the procedure as well as potentially evaluating different therapeutics over an extended duration of time. In this protocol, we detail an OLT model in mice in a stepwise fashion and finally describe a microCT protocol that can give high-quality images, which aid researchers in in-depth analysis of solid organ transplantation. We provide a step-by-step guide for liver transplantation in a mouse, as well as briefly discuss a protocol for evaluating the patency of the graft through microCT angiography.

Exploiting the fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 vulnerability to therapeutically restrict the MYC-EZH2-CDKN1C axis-driven proliferation in Mantle cell lymphoma.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a lethal hematological malignancy with a median survival of 4 years. Its lethality is mainly attributed to a limited understanding of clinical tumor progression and resistance to current therapeutic regimes. Intrinsic, prolonged drug treatment and tumor-microenvironment (TME) facilitated factors impart pro-tumorigenic and drug-insensitivity properties to MCL cells. Hence, elucidating neoteric pharmacotherapeutic molecular targets involved in MCL progression utilizing a global "unified" analysis for improved disease prevention is an earnest need. Using integrated transcriptomic analyses in MCL patients, we identified a Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-1 (FGFR1), and analyses of MCL patient samples showed that high FGFR1 expression was associated with shorter overall survival in MCL patient cohorts. Functional studies using pharmacological intervention and loss of function identify a novel MYC-EZH2-CDKN1C axis-driven proliferation in MCL. Further, pharmacological targeting with erdafitinib, a selective small molecule targeting FGFRs, induced cell-cycle arrest and cell death in-vitro, inhibited tumor progression, and improved overall survival in-vivo. We performed extensive pre-clinical assessments in multiple in-vivo model systems to confirm the therapeutic potential of erdafitinib in MCL and demonstrated FGFR1 as a viable therapeutic target in MCL.

Targeting of histone acetyltransferase p300 by cyclopentenone prostaglandin Δ(12)-PGJ(2) through covalent binding to Cys(1438).

Inhibitors of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are perceived to treat diseases like cancer, neurodegeneration, and AIDS. On the basis of previous studies, we hypothesized that Cys(1438) in the substrate binding site could be targeted by Δ(12)-prostaglandin J(2) (Δ(12)-PGJ(2)), a cyclopentenone prostaglandin (CyPG) derived from PGD(2). We demonstrate here the ability of CyPGs to inhibit p300 HAT-dependent acetylation of histone H3. A cell-based assay system clearly showed that the α,ß-unsaturation in the cyclopentenone ring of Δ(12)-PGJ(2) was crucial for the inhibitory activity, while the 9,10-dihydro-15-deoxy-Δ(12,14)-PGJ(2), which lacks the electrophilic carbon (at carbon 9), was ineffective. Molecular docking studies suggested that Δ(12)-PGJ(2) places the electrophilic carbon in the cyclopentenone ring well within the vicinity of Cys(1438) of p300 to form a covalent Michael adduct. Site-directed mutagenesis of the p300 HAT domain, peptide competition assay involving p300 wild type and mutant peptides, followed by mass spectrometric analysis confirmed the covalent interaction of Δ(12)-PGJ(2) with Cys(1438). Using biotinylated derivatives of Δ(12)-PGJ(2) and 9,10-dihydro-15-deoxy-Δ(12,14)-PGJ(2), we demonstrate the covalent interaction of Δ(12)-PGJ(2) with the p300 HAT domain, but not the latter. In agreement with the in vitro filter binding assay, CyPGs were also found to inhibit H3 histone acetylation in cell-based assays. In addition, Δ(12)-PGJ(2) also inhibited the acetylation of the HIV-1 Tat by recombinant p300 in in vitro assays. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that Δ(12)-PGJ(2) inhibits p300 through Michael addition, where α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl function is absolutely required for the inhibitory activity.

Interaction of 3ß-amino-5-cholestene with phospholipids in binary and ternary bilayer membranes.

3ß-Amino-5-cholestene (aminocholesterol) is a synthetic sterol whose properties in bilayer membranes have been examined. In fluid palmitoyl sphingomyelin (PSM) bilayers, aminocholesterol and cholesterol were equally effective in increasing acyl chain order, based on changes in diphenylhexatriene (DPH) anisotropy. In fluid 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayers, aminocholesterol ordered acyl chains, but slightly less efficiently than cholesterol. Aminocholesterol eliminated the PSM and DPPC gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition enthalpy linearly with concentration, and the enthalpy approached zero at 30 mol % sterol. Whereas cholesterol was able to increase the thermostability of ordered PSM domains in a fluid bilayer, aminocholesterol under equal conditions failed to do this, suggesting that its interaction with PSM was not as favorable as cholesterols. In ternary mixed bilayers, containing 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), PSM or DPPC, and cholesterol at proportions to contain a liquid-ordered phase (60:40 by mol of POPC and PSM or DPPC, and 30 mol % cholesterol), the average lifetime of trans-parinaric acid (tPA) was close to 20 ns. When cholesterol was replaced with aminocholesterol in such mixed bilayers, the average lifetime of tPA was only marginally shorter (about 18 ns). This observation, together with acyl chain ordering data, clearly shows that aminocholesterol was able to form a liquid-ordered phase with saturated PSM or DPPC. We conclude that aminocholesterol should be a good sterol replacement in model membrane systems for which a partial positive charge is deemed beneficial.

Synthesis of fluorinated benzophenones, xanthones, acridones, and thioxanthones by iterative nucleophilic aromatic substitution.

Fluorination of fluorophores can substantially enhance their photostability and improve spectroscopic properties. To facilitate access to fluorinated fluorophores, bis(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)methanone was synthesized by treatment of 2,4,5-trifluorobenzaldehyde with a Grignard reagent derived from 1-bromo-2,4,5-trifluorobenzene, followed by oxidation of the resulting benzyl alcohol. This hexafluorobenzophenone was subjected to sequential nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions, first at one or both of the more reactive 4,4'-fluorines, and second by cyclization through substitution of the less reactive 2,2'-fluorines, using a variety of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur nucleophiles, including hydroxide, methoxide, amines, and sulfide. This method yields symmetrical and asymmetrical fluorinated benzophenones, xanthones, acridones, and thioxanthones and provides scalable access to known and novel precursors to fluorinated analogues of fluorescein, rhodamine, and other derivatives. Spectroscopic studies revealed that several of these precursors are highly fluorescent, with tunable absorption and emission spectra, depending on the substituents. This approach should allow access to a wide variety of novel fluorinated fluorophores and related compounds.